Mr Jahiri (35), originally from Kosovo but of no fixed abode, has pleaded not guilty to murdering Anna Finnegan (26) at Allendale Glen, Clonsilla, Dublin 15 on September 21, 2012.

He has also pleaded not guilty to assaulting Karl Finnegan, causing him harm, at the same place on the same date.

Opening the prosecution case to a jury last week, Mr Patrick Marrinan SC said that Mr Jahiri and Anna Finnegan were in a relationship for about ten years and had two young children together.

However, their relationship "turned sour" prior to September 2012 and they ended up separating.

It is alleged that Mr Jahiri stabbed Ms Finnegan to death after he “battered” down her front door and attacked her and her brother.

Today prosecution counsel Mr Marrinan called Joan Broe, who was walking her dog in the Allendale Glen estate at 8.30pm on September 21, to give evidence.

Ms Broe said she was on the road opposite Allendale Glen when she heard “a loud smashing and crashing noise.”

She then heard a girl screaming: “Help us, somebody help us.” The court heard this girl was Anna Finnegan and she was standing in the doorway of her house.

Ms Broe said Ms Finnegan appeared to be very panicked and frightened. The witness said she crossed the road to see if she could assist her. As she got closer a man emerged from the house, followed by another man.

The court heard the first man was a “big physical man” who she now knows to be Vesel Jahiri. The second man had a “slight build" and was Karl Finnegan.

The witness said she then saw Anna Finnegan, Vesel Jahiri and Karl Finnegan in the driveway of the house next door. She said Ms Finnegan was screaming into Mr Jahiri’s face saying: “Leave him alone.”

“Anna was holding her brother’s shoulders like she was defending herself from Mr Jahiri attacking them,” he said. Ms Broe said Ms Finnegan then screamed: “No No.” The witness said it looked like Karl Finnegan had been punched in the stomach. Mr Finnegan then slumped down onto the ground.

Anna then shouted at Ms Broe saying: “Help us he has been stabbed.” Mr Finnegan was lying on the ground against a pillar.

The court heard that Anna then started to run really hard and was screaming.

Mr Jahiri ran fast after her and jumped onto her back.

Mr Jahiri then sat on Ms Finnegan's hips and she began kicking her legs. Ms Broe said she was “too scared” of Mr Jahiri as he “seemed crazed.”

The witness ran to get help and asked a neighbour for a phone. “At this time Mr Jahiri was dragging Anna by the neck and bringing her to the house,” she said.

Ms Broe said she saw a car heading out of Allendale Glen and Mr Finnegan began screaming at the car. Mr Finnegan told Ms Broe that he thought his sister had been stabbed.

The witness brought Mr Finnegan into the hallway of Anna's house and got some clean towels for him. An ambulance then arrived at the scene and took Mr Finnegan to hospital.

The trial continues before Mr Justice Paul Coffey and a jury of nine men and three women. It is expected to last between four and five weeks.